Pinoy freed by Hamas out of hospital

THE Israel Embassy in Manila yesterday said Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco has been discharged from the Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center where he was taken after being released by Hamas militants in Gaza last Friday.

Pacheco was among the first batch of released captives, along with 13 Israelis and 10 Thais. At the time he was taken captive on October 7, Pacheco was taking care of an 80-year-old Israeli man who died in the hands of Hamas.

A third batch of hostages was released on Sunday, as part of a four-day truce and a prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

“Jimmy Pacheco is released from hospital. He is sent off with love,” the embassy said in a brief statement.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Pacheco in the hospital on Sunday.

Hamas rebels took over 200 hostages when they attacked Israel last month. A Filipina who remains missing is believed to be among the captives.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on Sunday said Pacheco was set to be back in Manila before the end of next month.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said Pacheco will be with his family in the Philippines in time for Christmas.

De Vega also said Pacheco was traumatized as his employer was killed. He added Pacheco is now trying to recover personal documents and hoping to get new employment.

De Vega said Pacheco, despite his ordeal, was in high spirits.

“What he wants is to get well first, sort out his documents, and come home before Christmas,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said the Israeli government will provide Pacheco and his immediate family lifetime social security benefits and regular stipends similar to those given to Israelis who are victims of terrorist attacks.